Dunphy

Dunphy Airstrip, located in Upper Blackville, NB, was FPL’s long-time Air Tanker Operations Base until operations were moved to Chatham/Miramichi in 1994. The airstrip has been abandoned and ploughed up, but its location can be clearly seen in the eastward bend in the river, next to the highway, south of the area marked Upper Blackville.

Constructed

1956

Active in the aerial spray program

1956, 1957, 1960-1963 – no details

1964 – The sprayer fleet was arranged so that the two main contractors (Skyway and Wheeler) had equal TBM representation at Juniper and Dunphy Airstrips. During the early part of the program, the Juniper half was split between Fredericton and Juniper. Later, 14 TBMs operated from Juniper and 14 operated from Dunphy.

Source: Interim Report – 1964 Forest Spraying Program [FPL files]

1965-1971 – no details

1972 – The TBMs (total 44) were calibrated at Dunphy Airstrip then dispatched to the other airstrips (May 10-20). Four Stearmans conducted an experimental spray out of Dunphy.

1975 – May 24 to June 21 (TBMs); July 3 to 17 (small operational spray trial for moth)

1977 – May 23 to June 27 (TBMs)

Work Flow Example – 1977

Over-winter services: four watchmen

Mixing plant conversion to electric drive: April to early May

Set-up of living facilities: April to early May

Arrival of aviation gasoline: first delivery on March 9

Arrival of insecticide: first delivery on April 18

School for navigators: April 26 to May 21

Arrival of TBMs: May 19

Operational spraying: May 23 to June 27

Washing out of aircraft spray systems: immediately after termination of spraying

Storage of mobile living facilities: late June to early July

Moth spraying: July 11-16

Clean-up of systems, tanks, etc.: early July to early October

Disposal of empty drums: sold, loaded in box cars October to mid-November

Closing up camp: camp taken over by DNR on July 19

Insecticide storage: (from Fredericton warehouse): late July to early August

Over-winter projects: one watchman, one clerk and two carpenters re-finishing interior of two sleeping trailers

1979 – May 22 to June 14 (TBMs)

1980 – An experimental spray was conducted using two Stearmans, two AgTrucks, one helicopter and eight Pawnees, June 2 to 11, from 8 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1981 – May 20 to June 19 (TBMs)

1982 – May 27 to June 19 (TBMs); a Private Woodlot Spraying Program was conducted from June 5 to 15 from 6 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1983 – May 23 to June 12 (TBMs); a Private Woodlot Spraying Program was conducted from June 21 to 17 from 12 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1984 – May 27 to June 20 (TBMs); a small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 26 to June 21 from 14 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1985 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 26 to June 24 from 12 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1986 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 27 to June 21 from 7 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1987 – May 22 to June 18 (TBMs); a small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 27 to June 18 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.

Work Flow Example – 1987

Arrival of insecticide: May 20 to June 10

First arrival of TBMs: May 3

School for navigators: May 1-14

Arrival of new Cessna pilots: May 10

School for Cessna pilots: May 11-14

Calibration of TBMs: May 5-17

First arrival of navigator crews: May 1

Arrival of TBM pilots: May 16-18

Operational spraying: May 22 to June 18

1988 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 8 to June 18 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1989 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 28 to June 17 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1990 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from June 5 to 26 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.

1994 – Air Tanker Operations were moved from Dunphy airstrip to facilities at the Miramichi airport.

2000s – Airstrip rehabilitation surveys continued at site of former Dunphy airstrip.